Switch



Jan. 17, 1928. 1,656,562

D. N. JONES SWITCH Filed April 19. 1927 gnum Roz put/27165 and / '1, I l I ormzv:

Patented Jan. 17, 1928.

UNITED STATES DILLWYN N. JONES, OF SCRANTON, PENNSYLVANIA.

SWITCH.

Application filed April 19, 1927. Serial No. 184,928.

This invention relates to switches and more particularly to a signal switch for use with the direction signals of automobiles.

An important object of the invention is to provide a very simple and durable construction of signal switch of that type wherein the switch is manually set, but is automatically returned to neutral position upon a predetermined operation of the mechanism with which it is associated.

A further object of the invention is to produce a device of this character, in which the number of necessary contacts is reduced to a minimum and the mechanism employed for the control of the device is extremely simple.

These and other objects I attain by the construction shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein for the urpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention and wherein Figure 1 is a side elevation of a switch constructed in accordance with my invention showing the same as applied to a steering post, which is indicated in dotted lines, the solid line position being the neutral position of the switch and the dotted line position one' of the signalling positions thereof, the trip being indicated in solid lines in its normal position and in dotted lines in one of the positions which it assumes to return the contact to the neutral position;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view through the switch.

Referring now more particularl to the drawings, the numeral 10 general y designates a casing, to the end walls 11 of which a conducting rod 12 is slidably directed. Upon one end wall a socket 13 is provided, the open end of which opposes the rod 12. Within this socket is arranged a springpressed ball 14 which, by its engagement with the rod, serves to hold the rod in adjusted positions. If desired, the face of the rod may be notched at three different oints, as indicated at 15, 16 and 17, so that tl ie ball may enter within these notches and more firmly hold the rod against longitudinal displacement. Opposite ends of the rod are provided with insulated push buttons 18.

The switch is primarily intended for use in connection with automobiles and the easing 10 is adapted to be secured to one of relatively rotatable parts M and M and electrically connected therewith, as more clearly shown in the diagram. Within the casing, upon one longitudinal wall 19, an insulating base 20 is mounted, upon which are mounted terminals 21 and 22 electrically connected with binding posts 23 extending to the exterior of the casing and insulated therefrom. The binding posts 23 may be connected with a suitable source of current B through translating devices T as illus trated.

Secured to the rod 12 and centrally positioned upon the rod is a U-shaped yoke 24, the arms of which are apertured for the passage of the rod and are connected at their free ends by a pin 25. The connecting portion between the arms, indicated at 26, is providedwith a contact 27 to engage the contacts 21 or 22. In the central position of the rod, this contact 27 is midway between and out of engagement with the contacts 21 and 22. The yoke 24: is held against longitudinal movement in any suitable manner. In the present instance, pins 28 engaging the outer faces of the arms and extending through the bar are employed for this purpose. The yoke will be formed of spring steel,- so that the desired pressure in engagement between the contact 27 and contacts 21 and 22 will be provided.

The wall 29 of the casing, which opposes the wall 19, has formed therein a slot 30 through which is extended an arm 31, the lower end of which is forked to receive the pin 25 and rod 12 between the arms 24: of the yoke. Mounted upon the wall 29 are ears 32 to which the arm 31 is pivoted. Secured to the wall 29 at opposite ends of the slot 30 are springs 33 which, by their engagement with the arm, normally maintain this arm with its inner end midway between the arms 24 of the yoke, when the rod is in its middle or neutral position. When the rod is moved to either of its operative positions, that is to say, with the contact 27 in engagement with either of the contacts 21 or 22, one arm 24 of the yoke is engaged with a side face of the arm 31. Itwill be obvious that by oscillating the arm 31 when the rod gage against the extremity of the arm and oscillate the same to thereby provide the return movement of the rod 12.

In application of this device to the steering mechanism of an automobile, the switch is preferably secured to the steerlng post housing, which has been designated by the reference character M and the stops 34 are secured to the hub or other portion of the steering wheel. The translating devices T form the illuminating elements of a signal, the operation of one ofwhich signals right and the other left turn. Say, for example, the rod is operated to bring the contact 27 in engagement with the contact 21. The translating device is activated andwill remain activated untila stop 34 is brought into engagement therewith by rotation of the steering wheel during the turning operation, when the switch will be restored to neutral position. 7

It will, of course, be obvious that the construction hereinbefore set forth is capable of a certain range of change and modification without materially departing from the. spirit of the invention and I accordingly do not limit myself to such specific structure except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim 1.-In a signal switch, a casing, a rod slidably mounted therein, a spring yoke mounted upon and held against longitudinal movement with relation to the rod within the casing, a pair of contacts carried by the casing wall and opposing the yoke, a contact carried by the yoke and engaging one or the other of the first named contacts as the yoke is shifted to one side or the other of a central neutral position, and an arm associated with the yoke vand'having engagement with the yoke which when said yoke is at either side of said central position and the arm is shifted in the proper direction, returns the yoke to its central position.

2. In a signal switch, a casing, a rod slidably mounted therein, a spring yoke mounted upon and held against longitudinal movement with relation to the rod within the casing, a pair of contacts carried by the casing wall and opposing the yoke, a' contact carried by the yoke and engaging one or the other of the first named contacts as the yoke is shifted to one side or the other of a central neutral position, and an arm associated with the yoke and having engagement with the yoke which, when said yoke is at either side of said central position and the arm is shifted in the proper direction returns the yoke to its central position, an

means for yieldably maintaining the yoke in adjusted positions.

3. In a signal switch, a casing, a rod] slidably mounted therein, a spring yoke mounted upon and held against longitudinal movement with relation to the rod within aeaaeea the casing, a pair of contacts carried by the casing wall and opposing the yoke, a contact carried by the yoke and engaging one or the other of the first named contacts as the yoke is shifted to one side or the other of a central neutral position, the yoke including arms spaced lon itudinally of the rod, an arm pivoted to swing in a plane paralleling the axis of the rod and havin its inner end extended between the arms 0 the yoke and means limiting movement of the pivoted arm when its inner .end is engaged with an arm of the yoke and the yoke is in its central position.

4. In a signal switch, a casing, a rod slidably mounted therein, a spring yoke mounted upon and held against longitudinal movement with relation to the rod within the casing, a pair of contacts carried by the casing wall and opposing the yoke, a contact carried by the yoke and engaging one or the other of the first named contacts as the yoke is shifted to one side or the other of a central neutral position, the yoke including arms spaced longitudinally of the rod, an arm pivoted to swin in a plane paralleling the axis of the r0 and having its inner end extended between the arms of the yoke, means limiting movement of the pivoted arm when its inner end is engaged with an arm of the yoke and the yoke is in its central position and means for yieldably maintaining the yoke in its adjusted positions.

5. In a signal switch, a casing, a rod slidably mounted therein, a spring yoke mounted upon and held against longitudinal movement with relation to the rod within the casing, a pair of contacts carried by the casing wall and opposing the yoke, a con tact carried by the yoke and engaging one or the other of the first named contacts as the yoke is shifted to one side or the other of a central neutral position, the yoke including arms spaced longitudinally of the rod, an arm pivoted to swing in a-plane paralleling the axis of the rod and having its inner end extended between the arms of the yoke, means limiting movement of the pivoted arm when its inner end is engaged with an arm of the yoke and the yoke is in its central position, and means yieldably maintaining said arm in a central position as respects the arms of the yoke when the yoke is in its central position.

' 6. In a signal switch, a casing,.a rod slidably mounted therein, a spring yoke mounted upon and held against longitudinal movement with relation to the rod within the casing, a pair of contactscarried by the casing wall and opposing-the yoke, a contact carried by the yoke and engaging one or the other of the first named contacts as the yoke is shifted to one side or the-other of a central neutral position, said yoke ineluding arms spaced from one another longitudinally of the rod, the opposed wall of the casing having a slot, an arm pivoted to said casing wall and having its inner end extended through the slot and between the arms of the yoke, the ends of the slot limiting movement of the arm when it engages an arm of the yoke while the yoke is in central position.

7. In a signal switch, a casing, a rod slidably mounted therein, a sprmg yoke mounted upon and held against longitudinal movement with relation to the rod within the casing, a pair of contacts carried by the casing wall and opposing the yoke, a contact carried by the yoke and engaging one or the other of the first named contacts as the yoke is shifted to one side or the other of a. central neutral position, said yoke includin arms sfiaced from one another longitudina y oi t e rod, the opposed wall of the caslng having a slot, an arm pivoted to said casing wall and having its inner end extended through the slot and between the arms of the yoke, the ends of the slot limiting movement of the arm when it engages an arm of the yoke while the yoke is in central position, and springs secured to the caslng at opposite ends of the slot and having engagement with the outer end of said pivoted arm whereby said arm is normally held in a central position as respects the arms of the yoke when the yoke is in central position.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aifix my signature.

DILLWYN N. JONES. 

